BAGHDAD (Radio Free Europe)-- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that Saddam Hussein's December 30 execution did not need his approval and that he did not know when it was to take place.

Talabani's office released a statement on January 2 saying the president opposes the death penalty, but cannot interfere with the independence of the judiciary.

A spokesman for the U.S. military said Wednesday it had nothing to do with the hanging of Hussein. Major General William Caldwell told reporters in Baghdad that the U.S. military simply provided security during the transfer of Hussein into the custody of Iraqi authorities.

He said U.S. military personnel who accompanied Hussein said he acted in a "dignified" manner during the handover procedure.

Talabani's statement comes as Iraq's government investigates the filming by mobile-phone camera of Hussein's execution, in which the former dictator was taunted moments before being hanged.